ALFAX vs. QISGX

Last updated Jun 24, 2026

ALFAX (Lord Abbett Alpha Strategy Fund) and QISGX (Federated Hermes MDT Small Cap Growth Fund) are both Small Cap Growth Equities funds. Over the past 10 years, ALFAX returned 11.33%/yr vs 14.37%/yr for QISGX. Their correlation of 0.91 suggests significant overlap in exposure. ALFAX charges 1.40%/yr vs 0.89%/yr for QISGX.

Performance

ALFAX vs. QISGX - Performance Comparison

The chart below illustrates the hypothetical performance of a $10,000 investment in Lord Abbett Alpha Strategy Fund (ALFAX) and Federated Hermes MDT Small Cap Growth Fund (QISGX). The values are adjusted to include any dividend payments, if applicable.

Returns By Period

The year-to-date returns for both investments are quite close, with ALFAX having a 22.34% return and QISGX slightly higher at 23.20%. Over the past 10 years, ALFAX has underperformed QISGX with an annualized return of 11.33%, while QISGX has yielded a comparatively higher 14.37% annualized return.

ALFAX

• 1D: 0.70%
• 1M: 4.98%
• YTD: 22.34%
• 6M: 19.97%
• 1Y: 35.19%
• 3Y*: 17.23%
• 5Y*: 5.91%
• 10Y*: 11.33%

QISGX

• 1D: 1.32%
• 1M: 5.28%
• YTD: 23.20%
• 6M: 20.18%
• 1Y: 48.35%
• 3Y*: 22.22%
• 5Y*: 9.24%
• 10Y*: 14.37%

*Multi-year figures are annualized to reflect compound growth (CAGR)

ALFAX vs. QISGX - Yearly Performance Comparison

	2026 (YTD)	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017
ALFAX Lord Abbett Alpha Strategy Fund	22.34%	8.80%	13.18%	13.92%	-23.50%	15.01%	26.16%	24.95%	-9.72%	20.61%
QISGX Federated Hermes MDT Small Cap Growth Fund	23.20%	17.72%	15.63%	19.63%	-27.94%	18.14%	29.91%	21.14%	-6.33%	25.17%

Correlation

The correlation between ALFAX and QISGX is 0.36, which is low. Their price movements are largely independent, making them effective diversification partners.

	Correlation
Correlation (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	0.36
Correlation (3Y) Calculated over the trailing 3-year period	0.65
Correlation (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	0.80
Correlation (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period	0.86
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Jan 3, 2006	0.91

Over the past year, the correlation between ALFAX and QISGX has dropped to 0.36 - well below their long-term average of 0.91, suggesting their price drivers have been diverging.

Return for Risk

ALFAX vs. QISGX — Risk / Return Rank

Compare risk-adjusted metric ranks to identify better-performing investments over the past 12 months.

ALFAX

ALFAX Risk / Return Rank: 65
ALFAX Sharpe Ratio Rank: 59
ALFAX Sortino Ratio Rank: 57
ALFAX Omega Ratio Rank: 52
ALFAX Calmar Ratio Rank: 82
ALFAX Martin Ratio Rank: 78

QISGX

QISGX Risk / Return Rank: 78
QISGX Sharpe Ratio Rank: 76
QISGX Sortino Ratio Rank: 73
QISGX Omega Ratio Rank: 74
QISGX Calmar Ratio Rank: 84
QISGX Martin Ratio Rank: 81

The rank (0–100) shows how this investment's returns compare to the risk taken. Higher = better. Based on the past 12 months of data, combining Sharpe, Sortino, and other metrics used by quantitative funds and institutional investors.

ALFAX vs. QISGX - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for Lord Abbett Alpha Strategy Fund (ALFAX) and Federated Hermes MDT Small Cap Growth Fund (QISGX). Risk-adjusted metrics are performance indicators that assess an investment's returns in relation to its risk, enabling a more accurate comparison of different investment options.

Values are calculated on a 1-year rolling basis and updated daily. Risk-adjusted metrics are more stable over longer periods — use the period switch above to explore them.

	ALFAX	QISGX	Difference
Sharpe ratio: Return per unit of total volatility	2.08	2.34	-0.26
Sortino ratio: Return per unit of downside risk	2.89	3.25	-0.35
Omega ratio: Gain probability vs. loss probability	1.36	1.44	-0.08
Calmar ratio: Return relative to maximum drawdown	3.58	3.77	-0.19
Martin ratio: Return relative to average drawdown	13.63	14.02	-0.39

ALFAX vs. QISGX - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current ALFAX Sharpe Ratio is 2.08, which is comparable to the QISGX Sharpe Ratio of 2.34. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of ALFAX and QISGX, calculated using daily returns over the previous 12 months. A higher Sharpe Ratio indicates better risk-adjusted performance relative to the risk-free rate.

Drawdowns

ALFAX vs. QISGX - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum ALFAX drawdown since its inception was -57.11%, smaller than the maximum QISGX drawdown of -60.75%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for ALFAX and QISGX.

Drawdown Indicators

	ALFAX	QISGX	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	-57.11%	-60.75%	+3.64%
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	-10.31%	-13.23%	+2.92%
Max Drawdown (3Y) Largest decline over 3 years	-25.01%	-27.28%	+2.27%
Max Drawdown (5Y) Largest decline over 5 years	-33.88%	-38.60%	+4.72%
Max Drawdown (10Y) Largest decline over 10 years	-40.29%	-45.08%	+4.79%
Current Drawdown Current decline from peak	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-12.85%	-13.85%	+1.00%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	2.70%	3.55%	-0.85%

Volatility

ALFAX vs. QISGX - Volatility Comparison

The current volatility for Lord Abbett Alpha Strategy Fund (ALFAX) is 6.76%, while Federated Hermes MDT Small Cap Growth Fund (QISGX) has a volatility of 7.18%. This indicates that ALFAX experiences smaller price fluctuations and is considered to be less risky than QISGX based on this measure. The chart below showcases a comparison of their rolling one-month volatility.

Volatility by Period

	ALFAX	QISGX	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	6.76%	7.18%	-0.42%
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	14.12%	15.96%	-1.84%
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	17.81%	21.36%	-3.55%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	20.00%	24.61%	-4.61%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	20.79%	24.74%	-3.95%

ALFAX vs. QISGX - Expense Ratio Comparison

ALFAX has a 1.40% expense ratio, which is higher than QISGX's 0.89% expense ratio.

Dividends

ALFAX vs. QISGX - Dividend Comparison

ALFAX's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 4.34%, more than QISGX's 3.18% yield.

Position	TTM	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017	2016	2015
ALFAX Lord Abbett Alpha Strategy Fund	4.34%	5.30%	0.80%	0.46%	6.94%	5.38%	7.99%	14.66%	16.61%	11.96%	11.85%	15.83%
QISGX Federated Hermes MDT Small Cap Growth Fund	3.18%	3.91%	0.00%	0.05%	3.63%	29.34%	0.45%	0.00%	7.03%	5.09%	1.61%	18.51%

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I hold both ALFAX and QISGX in my portfolio?

ALFAX and QISGX have a correlation of 0.36, meaning they provide meaningful diversification benefit when combined. Depending on your allocation goals, holding both could reduce overall portfolio risk.

Which is riskier, ALFAX or QISGX?

QISGX has higher volatility (7.18%) compared to ALFAX (6.76%). In terms of maximum drawdown, ALFAX dropped -57.11% vs QISGX's -60.75%.

Which has better risk-adjusted returns?

QISGX currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (2.34 vs 2.08), meaning it's delivered slightly more return per unit of risk over the trailing 12 months. However, this ranking shifts over time - use the Risk/Return Score above for a more comprehensive view that combines Sharpe, Sortino, and other measures used by quantitative funds.